Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-21
AB0UTFL0RIDA
TIE GRANGE THE GEORGIA
CENTRAL.


Quick Trip-1he j. T. y N. w. Rail
road-Populnr Kesorts-A Great Arte-
sion Weii--Ehe -. Augustine of To-
Day-Fnrty Years Ago-The Spanish
Treasure Chcst-Old Cathedrsl-Mod-
ern InnoVRtions--A New Departure
An Utilised POstmaster-PopaIati
and Standardization Firms and In
dustrles--Gen. ANres-A Stag Dance
The ns-HeIlo-Geronimo's Wives
Habits, Games and Appearance of
the Red Men-What To DO with : hem.
The King is dead long live the King"
This apothegIn, which so justly portrays
the perpetuation OF thrones and dynas-
ties, was exempli1ied also when the stock
holders OF the Central railroad voted
Capt. Raoul out and bestowed the presi-
dency of that great organization upon his
rival, Gen. Alexander. The writer
passed over the road soon after, but could
detect no change in its admirable man
agement and the automatic precision
with which everything was conducted.
The retiring President had discharged
the duties OF his nigh office with zeal and
fidelity. but there is every assurance that
his successor, born in Georgia, personally
possessed of superior abilities and large
experience as railroad manager, and
ABOVE all inheXlbly honest, will leave
nothing undOne to continue and promote
the great interests entrusted to his keep
ing. To the Central railroad the State OF
georgia is, perhaps, more largely indebt-
ed than to any other agency for the de-
vel0pment OF its grand domain and her
present prosperity and prestige. May
that glorious ola artery of commerce ever
retain its power and patronage.
Leaving your city at I a. M, on bleak
and freezing day, the writer sped over the
smooth and easy-going savannah, Florida
and Western railway to WaycrOss, that
busy railway centre, thence to Florida's
metropolis, Jacksonville, and straight on
to ancient
ST. AUGUSTINE,
by the narrow gauge branch of the Jack
sonvllle, Tampa and Key West railroad.
accomplishing the entire distance almost
within daylight. The latter highway is
in tirst-rate condition, and seems to be
dong paying business. Your scribe
would gratefully acknowledge the cOurte-
sizes received at the hands
of the general managers of the
main trunk of this important railway.
Arriving at our destination we we're soon
comfortably lodged in the popular st.
augustine AIVGtl- his HdSuluCSnI
hOstelry,s so pleasantly located on the plaza
with a fine view of the lighthouse and
waters of the bay, continues to maintain
its well-earned reputation. The prOprie-
tor, L. h. Y all, assisted in the office by
J. j. Skiles, room clerk; q. II. Salter,
bookkeeper, and his son, L. G.. Vail. the
cashier, leaves nothing undOne for the
comfort and enjoyment of his guests. The
rooms and furniture are all elegant and
Gpaf III n, 1.
is brilliantly lighted with "Seaman's
burners" each equal to 500-candle power.
The cooks and walters are trained SER
wants from the North, and the menu ex-
cellent. In this connection the writer
can also speak from personal experience
of the "FlOrida House" under its present
management, and the new "Hotel st. Sal
yador." Both are eminently worthy of
patronage. Indeed, to it's size and popu-
lation, no city in the Union OF five tim es
its extent can probably show as many
! fine hotels and more numerous and well
appointed private boarding houses for the
entertainment OF tourists and inValids
than St. Augustine.
n Before leaving this su Inject, which DOS
sesses so much importance to the travel
ling public, it would be objectionable not
to make fitting mention of that grand en-
7terprise,
THE PONCE DE LEON HOTEL.
TIC Mr.. Henry NJ. Flagler, of New York,
the great capitalist whose wealth IS esti
mated at $40, 900, 900, is due the credit of
originating this immense structure
which occupies four ana one-half acres of
ground, and Is rapidly approach
ing completion. The architecture is the
"Old Spanish" IN happy consonance with
the early history and traditions OF the
town and the first buildings which were
erected, some Of which are still standing.
The Moorish style, with it's splendid or
namentation and unique features, pre-.
dominates. 1t abounds with quaint roofs,
Windows, balconies, arches, and covered
ways, and the main ediice euclOses court
$50 feet square. The central portion is five
stories high, with two four-stOry wings
and an imposing dome in the middle, sur
mounted on two sides by lofty towers,
reaching an altitude of 1885 feet each, The
frontage is 400 feet on Talamato and 800
feet on King street, and the apartments
will number about 700, including rIors.
offices, etc. SIX hundred guests will be
accommodated outside of the servants
quarters. The noble pile Is to be com.
pleted and opened TO the public by No
vember next. Messrs. Carrere d Hast
Ings, of New York are the architects,
The cost will largely exceed 1000, 900.
The writer was shown over the entire
premises by the courteous Mayor, Hon.
A. Anderson, whose own residence and
grounds are surprisingly beautiful.
A WONDERFUL ARTESIAN WELL.
A well has been bored for the use of the
hotel, which discharges 10000 900 gal
Ions OF wafer daily. IL emerges with
the volume and rush OF riyulet, and has
no equal on the continent. NOT fancyIng
the strong sulphur taste and odor, how
ever, the proprietor had the boring re
sumed, and depth OF $50 feet has been
reached. IL is believed that after the
augur has pierced through the present
stratum, which differs from any preceding
IL, pure water Will be reached. This well
alone could abundantly supply the wants
of a considerable city.
In bis succinct sketch of st. Augustine
the writer shall dwell but little upon its
early history aud traditions, albeit DOS
sessed of the deepest interest. The story
is an Oft told tale familiar to the whole
country. IL is the
ST. AUGUSTINE OF TO-DAY
that we propose TO delineate. Founded as
far back as 1868, and passing under the
control OF three fla4s since That period,
and ever REGARDED as an important
stron ghuld especially when n territorial
dependency. Tor the obvious reason that
there was men no productive back coun-
try TO iuVile commerce and inaugurnte
Ina lu1..gHt. 4